What is MIME type "application/x-netcdf"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

The MIME type application/x-netcdf designates files that use the NetCDF format. This format stores multi-dimensional data arrays along with built-in metadata. It supports structured numerical data used in science and engineering.

NetCDF files are self-describing. They contain details about the stored data so software can interpret them easily. This approach allows the same file to be read on different systems without additional configuration.

Scientific Research: It is common in climate modeling, weather forecasting, and oceanographic studies.
Data Analysis: Many tools use it to handle vast arrays of numerical data for visualization and computation.
Interoperability: The format ensures data consistency and portability across various computing environments.

Files using this MIME type typically have the extensions NC and CDF.

For more detailed technical insights, visit the NetCDF overview.

Associated file extensions

.nc, .cdf

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: application/x-netcdf

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/x-netcdf">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/x-netcdf');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.nc, .cdf

FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.